Tim Melville Gallery presents a survey exhibition of work by Tawhai Rickard (Ngāti Uepohatu, Ngāti Porou), the winner of NZ’s 2023 National Contemporary Art Award.

In 2020-2025 (Retro Man), Rickard’s paintings and sculptures reveal his trademark mix of Victorian baroque and Māori ‘Pop Art’ aesthetics, and a drawing style inspired by the figurative paintings in his whare tipuna (ancestral meeting house) ‘Hinetapora’ at Ruatoria.

Rickard works predominately with acrylic paints and whakairo (carving) using reclaimed wood and repurposed domestic furniture. His work is influenced by the epic history of Aotearoa New Zealand and by social, historical and cultural relationships between Māori and Pākēha.

By presenting provocative imagery from contemporary culture in the form of playing cards and action figures Rickard prompts us to consider the ongoing impacts of colonisation, and challenges us to engage in discussion on the bicultural foundations of Aotearoa.

Opening night Wednesday 17 September, 6 – 8pm.